At the 68th annual Grammy Awards held on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, Bad Bunny's album, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," made history by becoming the first all-Spanish-language album to win the prestigious Album of the Year award. This marked only the second time an all-Spanish-language album has been nominated for this top honor, the first being Bad Bunny's previous album, "Un Verano Sin Ti," in 2023. Harry Styles, who won that year, emotionally congratulated Bad Bunny with a hug after presenting him with the trophy this year.
Bad Bunny also took home the award for Best Música Urbana Album for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" amidst a standing ovation. In his acceptance speech, he addressed the audience in English, saying, "Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out," emphasizing his message about the human experience and identity, stating, "We are humans and we are Americans."
Comedian Trevor Noah hosted the Grammys for the sixth and final time, and the show notably ended just eight minutes late—a significant improvement compared to the previous year's lengthy ceremony. Among other award winners, Kendrick Lamar claimed Record of the Year for his collaboration with SZA on "Luther," and Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for "Wildflower."
The event was marked by emotional moments, including an in memoriam segment led by Reba McEntire, honoring several musical legends. Joni Mitchell also received the award for Best Historical Album and expressed her gratitude with humor and candor.
Additionally, the evening featured a significant shift as CBS ended its long-standing relationship with the Grammys, which began in 1973. Starting in 2024, the show will be broadcast on ABC due to a newly announced ten-year partnership with the Recording Academy.
Reflecting on the broader musical landscape, Kendrick Lamar became the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history, surpassing Jay-Z with 26 Grammy wins after earning four accolades that night, including Best Rap Album for "GNX." Lamar's acceptance speech highlighted the importance of hip-hop culture and its sustained presence.
The Best New Artist award was given to Olivia Dean, who spoke movingly about her immigrant heritage in her acceptance speech. This year's nominees for Best New Artist included a diverse lineup, showcasing the burgeoning talent in the music industry.
The ceremony also witnessed noteworthy performances and political statements, with many artists, including Kehlani and Billie Eilish, wearing "ICE OUT" pins in a show of solidarity against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Bad Bunny's call for "ICE out" reflected ongoing concerns about immigration policies affecting Latinx communities.
As always, the Grammys were not just about the awards but also about the celebratory atmosphere, with elaborate performances and statements touching on both personal and cultural topics. This year's awards also introduced new categories and changes, such as the renaming of the country album category to include a traditional and contemporary distinction.
Overall, the 2026 Grammy Awards blended celebration, history-making achievements, and poignant commentary on contemporary issues in the music industry and society at large.
